Govt shielding war criminals: FACS

KABUL (PAN): Federation of Afghanistan’s Civil Society (FACS) Chairman Siddiq Ansari on Sunday accused the Karzai-led government of maneuvering behind the scenes to shield war criminals involved in destablising the country.

Ansari called on the Afghans to renounce ethnic and tribal differences and jointly work for serving and protecting core national interests.

He told a meeting of civil society activists and representatives of social and political groups in Kabul that the government had been unable so far to ensure the rule of law.

He said civilians were being killed in airstrikes and abducted by gunmen for ransom money, urging those involved for civilian deaths in airstrikes and kidnappers be brought to justice.

Ansari said law enforcement remained a key challenge for the incumbent regime which had been too weak to punish high profile criminals, including warlords.

He called continued civilian deaths and widespread administrative corruption in government departments other major challenges facing Afghans. Ansari claimed intelligence agencies of foreign countries were behind the ongoing unrest in Afghanistan.

“Our nation is ruled by a handful of individuals who have divided us into small groups. As a result, the Afghans are lagging behind other nations with regard to development and prosperity...because we lack unity," he concluded.